The Real Deal

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday September 15, 2007

By motoring editor Joshua Dowling.

Concept cars stole the limelight at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show but here are three production models that will be in Australian showrooms soon.

Show cars are nice to look at but at the end of the day they don't get you from A to B. And isn't that what the automobile is all about? Concept vehicles are much like the fancy clothes and exotic materials you see in fashion parades: they look good on a stage but they're not exactly practical for popping down to the shops.

Away from the hype and the stick-thin models there were actually some real cars you could buy. I know, it's bizarre.

So we've sifted through the mountains of hype (car makers keep talking about the environment but you should see the paper they waste in the form of press packs) to bring you what we reckon were the three most important production cars of the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Jaguar XF

Jaguar is reasonably popular in Europe but doesn't have a stronghold in Germany because of fierce customer loyalty to German brands Mercedes, BMW and Audi. This explains why the British brand unveiled its latest model on the doorstep of its rivals. If Jaguar wanted to attract attention in enemy territory, it certainly achieved its goal.

Jaguar has made numerous declarations over the years about leaving its past behind but this time the British brand seems to be delivering on the promise.

Following the successful launch of the XK Coupe a little over a year ago, the company is now putting the finishing touches on its new executive sedan.

The Jaguar XF is due on sale in Australia by the middle of next year and while there is speculation about who will own Jaguar by then - at Frankfurt, senior executives confirmed that owner Ford is negotiating with seven prospective buyers - the company is conducting business as usual.

Jaguar has put everything it can into the new model and has moved away from its retro styling themes. The wide-eyed headlights may look a little different for a Jaguar but in the metal they add to the car's modern and sleek proportions. The tail-lights are said to be inspired by those on the classic E-Type sports car.

There will be four engines in the new Jaguar line-up (a 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel and three petrol engines: a 3.0-litre V6, 4.2-litre V8 and supercharged 4.2 V8), which is expected to range in price from $100,000 to $180,000.

There will be three levels of luxury, although Jaguar maintains all models will be well-equipped, including satellite navigation and leather upholstery as standard.

Distinguishing features of the more expensive models will include alloy wheels (18-, 19- and 20-inchers), a premium sound system, glass sunroof, blindspot warning system and other luxury appointments.

The entire Jaguar XF range is due on sale at the same time (previously the high-performance models have followed a few months later) in June next year and the company is already holding 60 orders for the car.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class wagon

Premium-priced wagons have been overshadowed by the never-ending wave of luxury soft-roaders. But Mercedes-Benz isn't shying away from the market. Indeed, it plans to increase sales with its new C-Class wagon.

Based on the just-released C-Class sedan, the wagon version is due on the market in March next year. According to Mercedes it has more cargo carrying capacity (up 15 per cent) than with the current model and it expects to sell about 250 cars a year (up from 200) locally.

Three engines will be available initially: a supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder, a 3.0-litre V6 and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel. A high-powered diesel may follow.

Each model will have a price premium of between $3000 and $5000 over the sedan on which it is based, which means the C-Class wagons will cost between $60,000 and $85,000.

An interesting note: all C-Class sedans and wagons now come from a Mercedes-Benz factory in Germany.

Until recently the cars had been manufactured in a Mercedes factory in South Africa. However, the car maker now uses the South African factory to help supply the US market.

Meanwhile, the company's autobahn-storming C63 from its performance division, AMG, will arrive on market at about the same time.

It is powered by a 6.2-litre V8 (yes, we know the badge says "63" but look at the exact capacity on the brochure and you'll see we're correct in calling it a 6.2-litre) mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Now, please excuse us for a moment but we're about to talk about power, which is kind of central to this car's theme. It involves getting excited about some numbers, so if fast cars aren't your thing, please move to the next item.

For those still with us, the figures you need to know are as follows: it has 336kW of power and 600Nm of torque. The car spotters among us may be surprised - these numbers are lower than what might have been expected.

The same engine in a bigger Mercedes-Benz (the E63 AMG) has more grunt (378kW and 630Nm).

Why? There are a couple of reasons. First, the C Class is smaller and lighter so it doesn't need as much power to scare the living daylights out of you. And, second, the air intake on the C Class is slightly smaller than it is on an E Class. Sucking more air equals more power.

If you're not bored to death yet, all you need to know is that it is blindingly fast and despite the difference in output the all-important 0 to 100kmh time for both AMG cars is identical. Nought to lose-your-licence in 4.5 seconds. The only thing more impressive than that is the likely price. The current C Class AMG costs about $160,000 but the new model may sneak under that if our spies are correct.

Mazda6

Japanese car makers don't usually unveil important models in Europe so the Mazda6 is an exception to the rule.

The Mazda6 is one of the cars that led to Mazda's dramatic sales turnaround and it was surprisingly popular in Europe, hence its worldwide unveiling at Frankfurt this week.

Mazda wants to broaden the appeal of the new model and aims to take on the European mid-sized sedans.

That's good news for buyers in Australia because that should mean the new model will be more refined and upmarket than its predecessor. It's certainly stylish enough to mix it with Europe's finest.

As with the current line-up, the new Mazda6 will be available as a sedan, hatch and wagon and will most likely be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine when it goes on sale in Australia next May. A diesel engine will be available but will follow some months later.

The new, second-generation Mazda6 is roomier than the model it replaces, yet is expected to be more fuel-efficient.

As with other Mazdas in the range, the new mid-sized sedan is expected to be available with a long list of safety equipment, such as stability control and front, side and curtain airbags.

As with the current Mazda6, the new model will be made in Japan.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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